Do you feel it?
It’s a deep longing. An ancient ache, a supernatural discernment.
It is fierce and untamed. You can’t name it. But your spirit knows…
Something calling, singing, and leading you out into an open space–literally at times.
You sense it dancing through your thoughts, slipping around your heart, and calling out in languages known only to your spirit.
All you know is that you need to go– to find it, to be in it.
Soaked, submerged, covered in heavenly breath, timeless wisdom, peace that passes human understanding.
Creation knows Him. Nature sings and worships Him constantly without worry, fear, or trying to do it right. So much joy!
Forest trees bend and sway in ancient dances. Their branches always reaching up to their source of light and life.
Oceans crash and retreat in powerful displays that catch the cries of human hearts and pull the pain out and away.
Gentle mountain meadows thrum with life–birdsong, insects, and bubbling streams carrying healing, peace, and delight in their rhythms.
Do you feel it? The yearning for healing, refreshing, release?
Look for Him. Look for the Source of life.
Allow His whispers to lead You to Him.
You’ll hear Him in the wind that gently soothes your face, your tears, and carries your shouts, laughter, and silence up, up, up to the Throne Room.
Laughing streams will delight you, mountain air will refresh you, crashing waves will heal you, and the bench in the park under the trees will bring you rest as you find the One who’s been calling you. The One who knows you by name and sings heavenly songs over you is waiting for you. Breathe Him in and be at peace. Divine connection.
There’s a mysterious place deep in the woods. It’s far off the beaten path where no human has ventured. Untouched. Pure nature.
No boot prints are found, but there are footprints. Forest dwellers.
Creature paths appear random and meandering, but they are not. These trails are specific and intentional. They know where their food comes from and the safest way to get there. Provision. Trust.
Nestled into a craggy rock formation high on a forested slope, a spring bubbles up and over the roots and rocks, splashing its way down. It’s been bubbling and sparkling for years. Following a well-worn route along the forest floor, the stream bed weaves its way through gullies, towering pines, aspens, and mountain meadows. Sometimes the clear water tumbles and crashes over various forest debris, faster and faster as it descends. Other times, it slows and spreads, creating deep pools of cool water that laze along, peacefully chattering in swirls and eddies. Life-giving.
The absence of humans doesn’t mean the absence of sound. The deep woods are a sound garden of their own. Nature has a voice, and it’s primeval and beautiful.
The pines and aspens shiver and whisper with the wind as it sighs through branches and moves along tree trunks, creaking and bending—a symphony of sorts.
Sticks, dead leaves, and pine needles rustle and snap as unseen creatures forage and spy under fallen trees and twisting vines.
The babble of birdsong in the forest canopy sounds chaotic at first listen. But the trills, melodies, and harmonies blend into an exciting and joyful concerto that echoes through the trees, along the stream, and over the meadows.
Nightfall has its own unique orchestra. Whispery feathers blend with the haunting call of the owl in flight; it is otherworldly and beautiful. The stealthy sounds of night hunters and creepers as they prowl, hide, and call are eerie and supernatural.
This untouched slice of nature is a beautiful testament to Divine creation. The One who created all things sees and hears the happenings in the deep woods. It brings Him joy in its purity. The creaks and shushing of the wind in the canopy, rushing water, and the groans of nature are like a symphony of worship. His creation cries out to Him with joyful noises and complete trust in His provision. It is pleasing incense and a thing of deep beauty to Him who sits on the throne. Devoid of human voices, even the rocks cry out to the Father who holds the world in His hands.
Psalm 150:6 NLT “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
This is an excerpt from Ascending found in my book, Divine Appointments…
Your prayers–whispered, shouted, sobbed, sung, laughed–are all precious to Jesus. He hears every word and pays such kind attention to every bit. He speaks healing, prophecy, joy, love, and belonging over every word you speak to Him. He speaks Himself into everything that concerns you. How loved you are…rest in that peace.
Photo credit: Chris Mark
The forest knows her name. She feels it’s gentle pull and call. Come and rest, re-center, and decompress. Melodies and harmonies of peace, joy, and ancient things.
Busyness, worry, and overthinking also know her name and they’ve been calling – shouts, demands, and confusing voices. Chaos circles looking for a crack, a chink, a tiny fissure to slink into.
It’s hard to let go of worry and expectations. Fear tells her that if she rests, breathes too deeply, and allows expectations to sit awhile, all sorts of disasters and sinister things may happen. What-if…
Lately there is a restless feeling that pricks and swirls in her mind and soul; a sensation of something just ahead slipping out of sight, waiting around the next bend in the path. Not as a fear-based shout, but a whispered song to come, explore, release – seek, find, and be blessed. Be healed.
She listens and makes her way to the forest. Her favorite path winding through Redwoods – so old, so wise, so healing – invites a quieted mind and tender heart open to the Divine whispers held in creation. Golden silence alive with the sounds of nature. Everything interwoven with His breath, His hands, His healing, and His peace.
The safety and wisdom she’s seeking seeps into her soul. There is rest and healing here. No expectations. Creator and creation singing to her spirit of love, rejuvenation, and acceptance. Supernatural, holy, ancient things are all around. Healing, mysterious, and deep.
The cracks and fissures from living life are filled in with His love, protection, and compassion. She won’t be the same when she leaves here and that is a divine and beautiful thing.
Deep calling to deep in the midst of Divine creation. He knows her name – she will always be welcome, always be healed.
Extravagant Hope 